Piston operated snap switch



May 10, 1932. F. SlEPP PISTON OPERATED SNAP SWITCH Filed June 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet EQED S/EPP ATTORNEY w ITNESS:

Patented May 10, 1932 @FFICE FRED SIEPP, OF KIMIBALL, NEBRASKA PISTON OPERATED SNAP SVJ'I'IG" Application filed June 16,

This invention relates to lifting jacks and to means for operating the same, an object of the invention being to provide a pneumatically operated jack having automatic means to provide a constant supply of air for its operation, together with selective means to supply air to the jack, or to supply air to a hose, or both.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above character which may be constructed as a single unit, or may be made in separate units to adapt it for various uses.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a jack of simple and novel construction, together with pneumatic means for extending the same, the construction of the jack being such that it will automatically return to normal position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a jack and jack operating means which are simple in construction, reliable in use and easily controlled.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view.

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the jack extended.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the air compressor.

Figure 5 is a detail view showing the switch contacts unassembled.

Referring to the drawings in detail where in like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character indicates a jack which comprises a plurality of nested sections. The outer or base section of the jack is indicated at 11, the inner section at 12 and the intermediate section at 13. The section 11 is closed by a bottom 14, upon which the sections 12 and 13 rest when the jack is collapsed.

1930. Serial No. 161,421.

The sections 11 and 13 are provided near their upper ends with annular recesses 15 whose lower walls are inclined as shown at 16, while the sections 12 and 13 carry expansible rings 17 which are positioned within annular grooves 18.

When air under pressure is admitted through the bottom 14 of the lower section of the jack, the sections 12 and 13 will move upward as shown in Figure 3, upward movement of the sections being limited by engagement of the rings 17 within the recesses 15. When pressure is released, the sections will move downward, the rings 17 riding over the inclined walls 16 for this purpose.

The invention further provides means for supplying air pressure for the operation of the jack, and for this purpose there is pro vided an operating mechanism which is contained within a housing 19. This housing may be integral with the outer section 11 of the jack as shown in the drawings, or it may be separately formed. As shown, the housing 19 and the jack are mounted upon a common base 20, while arranged within the housing 19 is an air compressor 21. A piston 22 operates within the compressor cylinder and is connected by means of a rod 23 with a crank shaft 24, the latter being mounted in suitable bearings 25. Fast upon. the shaft 24 is a gear 26 which is driven by a gear 27, fast upon the shaft 28 of an electric motor 29. Conductor wires .30 and 31 are connected with the motor for the completion of a cir cuit therethrough. 85

Arranged within the housing 19 is an air reservoir 33, which as shown, may be formed integral with the housing, or it may be separately formed and attached thereto. This reservoir is in communication with the cylinder of the compressor by means of a pipe 32 which is controlled by a check valve 33. The compressor cylinder is also provided with an air intake 3a which is controlled by a check valve 35.

A. pipe 36 leads from the air reservoir 33 and connects with a pipe 37 which leads into the bottom of the jack as shown. A branch pipe 38 leads from the pipe 36 and is adapted for connection with an air hose .39 so that of these strips.

the invention may be used for the supply of air to other devices, such as for supplying air for the inflation of pneumatic tires.

A valve 40 is arranged at the juncture of the pipes 36 and 38 and this valve is so constructed that communication may be established between the reservoir 31 and the jack, or between the reservoir 31 and the hose 39, or both. This valve is provided with an operating handle 41 which is positioned upon the outside of the housing-19, and by means of this handle, the jack may be operated to jack up the wheel of an automobile. In addition the valve may be adjusted to cut off. the air supply to the jack and direct it into the hose '39 for theinflationof pneumatic tires, or it maybe'adj usted to simultaneously direct air to the j ack, or-to the hose. By opening a valve 42 in the pipe 37, air may be exhausted fromxthe jack so that-the sectionslQ: and 13 will return to their normal positions.

Iii-order to maintain a constant supply of air in 'the reservoir 31, acircuitbreaker is included in: the conductor 30. This circuit breaker comprises a resilient arm 43 whose outer extremity is slotted as at 44, while the inner -endof'theslot is enlarged as at 45. The portionof the armupon opposite sides of the slot 44 is provided with insulating strips 46. The circuit breaker further includes a spring arm- 47 which is carried at one end of a: stem 48 which extends from ra plunger 49. The arm 47 is provided at its outer end with azsubstantiallyz spherical member or-knob 50 which-isadapted to engage the end of the spring-arm-43.

The plunger 49 is positioned with-in a cylinder 51 whose lower; end communicates with the reservoir 31. A spring 52 surrounds thestemi48 and bears against the plunger and against :an adjustable-disk 53 which is carried atthe lowerend of a, hollow stem 54 which is threaded into the outer endof the cylinder 49.

The conductor 30 is connected; to the arm 43 asshown at-55 and to thestem 48as shown at '56.

Vitlrthe parts in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings thearm 46-is within the slot 44so that'the knob 5O is in electrical contact with the arm 43. The motor is then operated to operate the air compressor, and as air pressure within: the reservoir 33 increases, the plunger 49wi1 l be forced upward against theaction of :the spring ,53. The knob 50-will then ride upward alongtheunder face of the'arm 43 until the enlarged portion 45 of the slot '44isreach'ed, whereupon, the arms 43 and 47 will be separated, the knob passing through the enlarged. portion 45 of the slot. As air pressure within the reservoir 31. decreases, the plunger will move downward under the action ofits spring so that'the knob 50 will ride along the edges of the insulating strips 46 until it asses off to the lower ends he resilient nature ofthe arms 43 and 47 will cause the arm 47 to enter the slot 44 so that the arm 47 and its knob 50 will again engage the arm 43 for the completion of a circuit through the motor.

By forming the jack and the operating mechanism in separate units, and substituting a flexible hose for the pipe 37, the jack may be operated at a point remote from the operating mechanism. This will permit of the jack being constructed so that it may be carried'by an automobile and used for tlje inflation oftires on the road. It is preferab e however to make the invention as a single un t when the latter is used in service stations garages.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its .form, proportions and minor details of construct-ion and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is A circuit breaker comprising a U-shaped spring arm having one end fixed. to a support and connected in an electric circuit and having a slot and opening in communication with each" other and with the slot opening through the free end of the arm, asecond U-shaped spring arm connected to the electric circuit and located adjacent the first mentioned arm and having one end movably mounted and adapted to; be actuated by the increase and decrease of air pressure Within the reservoir, and ahead on the other end of the second mentioned arm, said last named end of the'second mentioned arm adapted to travel within the slot and in contact with' the walls thereof during the movement of the second arm in one direction and be prevented from moving out of the slot by said head untilthe opening is reached which permits the head to move therethrough and allow quick, separation ofsaid arms by their resiliency causing a quick breakingof the circuit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my'signature.

FRED SIEPR 

